COVID Protocol

Due to the latest surge with Omicron, we are fielding a lot of questions about whether we are holding our Annual Conference in Alexandria, VA in April. The answer for now is YES!  We are planning for and excited to welcome attendees to our in-person annual CEIA conference. Current medical predictions are that this variant will peak in the coming weeks and fade away quickly. We certainly hope that to be the case and will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our protocols and practices as we get closer to the event. We will continue to stress attendee safety, first and foremost. 

Here are a few things we can tell you now about what to expect at CEIA:

• We encourage everyone to get fully vaccinated and boosted before you attend the conference.
• Plan to wear your mask: Based on the current status of the Omicron variant you will be required to wear a mask during all conference activities. 
  • We strongly encourage attendees to bring their own masks that cover the nose and mouth, fit snugly against the sides of the face, and can be worn comfortably all day. 
  • Masks will be available on-site if you need one. Attendees who cannot wear masks due to a health condition should consult a medical professional about possible alternatives. Attendees will be reminded to wear a proper-fitting mask by event personnel. 
  • We also recommend attendees wear masks while traveling to and from the event and follow COVID-safe practices in the weeks leading up to the event.
• Spread out: We have designed a conference space that allows attendees to spread out to their level of comfort. Attendees can make use of the wider aisles in the exhibit hall, choose from several wide-set seating options in a session room, or practice social distancing while walking through the convention center. We encourage attendees to make use of the ample space available.
• Be mindful of your own health: If you or someone you’ve had close contact with has recently tested positive for COVID-19 or hasn’t been feeling well for any reason, please stay home.
• Please re-imagine greetings and social contact: We are all very much looking forward to warmly greeting and interacting with each other, but please find alternatives to traditional greetings (e.g., offering a wave or a head nod in place of shaking hands). Be mindful that fellow attendees might be less comfortable than you with close contact or sharing spaces. Attendees will have the option to add stickers to their badge or wear color coded bracelets to indicate their comfort level for close contact, and we ask that these preferences be respected. 

We will continue to be transparent with you about the realities of planning an in-person event at this time and will continue to monitor reports.  Again, if plans change, we will communicate that information directly to you. We appreciate that many of you are navigating your own challenges, and we are so grateful for your patience as we collectively navigate the current environment.